Four Gardens represent the Celtic seasonal festivals and the cycle of life

The Gardens

A walk through the four Gardens takes you on a journey through the Celtic cycle of the seasons, each garden representing one of the Celtic festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa. This seasonal cycle mirrors the cycle of life from conception to old age and death. The design weaves Celtic stories with contemporary design to create spaces that are beautiful and tranquil yet inspiring and full of life.

Samhain Winter Garden

The festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) or Halloween falls on October 31st and marked the beginning of the yearly cycle for Celtic peoples.

This was a time of death and the promise of re-birth, a time for stillness and reflection. It was understood that in the dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed beneath the ground. In the Samhain Garden the long bank in the shape of a sleeping woman represents the earth resting for the winter. Her body shelters a still pool with a female figure cast in bronze resting on an island. The pool is enclosed in a ring of birch trees, reflecting the stark simplicity of the season. This is a place to be still, dream and prepare for the movement of spring. In summer, the earth woman wears a dress of wild flowers and grasses.

Imbolc Spring Garden

Imbolc (pronounced Im-ulk) is the old Celtic name for the spring festival on February 1st, now St. Brigit's Day. The birth of lambs and the first snowdrops herald this season of new life as the land re-awakens and growth begins again.

In the Imbolc garden the path leads through wildflower meadow and orchard trees to a children's glade with its delightful basketwork swings. In the sunken garden, a carved triple spiral outlines the stories and symbol of Brigit, Celtic Christian Saint and pre-Christian goddess of the land.

Bealtaine Summer Garden

The great fire festival of Bealtaine (pronounced Belt-an-a) or May Day celebrates the bright half of the year and the coming of summer's warmth. This is the time for sexual awakenings, marriages and the adventures of young adulthood. The lovers theme is represented in the Flame Figures sculpture, and in Diarmuid and Grainne's bed, a grassy hollow facing the sun and surrounded by simple wildflowers for the mythical lovers.

Bealtaine is a time for celebratory fires and in the Garden the fire runs from the Flame Figures through copper flames set into the processional way between the standing stones, to the ceremonial fireplace in front of the bog-wood throne. Here, the young adult can claim their personal power and sit as King or Queen in their own life.

Lughnasa Autumn Garden

The festival of Lughnasa (pronounced Loo-na-sa) in early August marks the beginning of the harvest and the transition from summer to autumn. Named after Lugh Lamh Fada, the hero of the mythical Tuatha de Dannan, it is a time of plenty and celebration.

Mounds represent harvest baskets and the constellation of Orion, which some Celts associated with Lugh. Stone beds in spiral shapes stand to each side and host an abundance of culinary and healing herbs. Two interlinked stone circles make spaces for feasting and dancing. As we approach the end of the cycle it is time to reflect, give thanks and celebrate all that has come to fruition.Three yew trees stand outside the exit from Lughnasa, symbolising the moment of death. The cycle is now complete, and the possibility of re-birth beckons as a new cycle begins.

Garden concept by Jenny Beale, design by Mary Reynolds

Roundhouse

The Roundhouse nestles in the centre of the Gardens, with windows looking out onto each of the four Gardens. This is a place for art and music, meditation, meetings or just relaxing.Click here for information on renting the Roundhouse for meetings, workshops or weddings.

Roundhouse Gallery

Stone Chamber

The Stone Chamber was built in 2004 but feels much older. It is constructed of huge limestone flags gathered from neighbouring fields and was build using megalithic building techniques with no mortar or cement. The stones for the walls and the corbelled roof were carefully positioned so that they support each other, and the capstone at the top holds the structure in place.There are pipes built into the structure. Try whispering down a pipe on the outside and you can be heard on the inside!Designer: Garry Jones

Stone Chamber Gallery

Fairy Fort

The Ring Fort or Fairy Fort is a circular enclosure that probably dates from 4th-9th century, though it could be older. It may have housed an extended family group living in round houses. It is known locally as the hill of the forge, so a blacksmith may have worked there in the past. Coincidentally, Brigit was the patron of smith-craft. According to legend, when a ring fort was no longer used by people the fairies moved in. Country people were careful not to interfere with fairy forts in case they upset the fairies.